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Warwickshire Police Road Safety Operation

Almost 130 offences detected by Warwickshire Police in road safety operation.

Published: 3 October 2024

Police have released footage of some of the most dangerous driving behaviours that can be committed by drivers, known as the ‘fatal 4’.  The footage was captured during the latest Operation Tramline that took place on the M40 and M42 and A46 in Warwickshire between 22 and 26 July 2024.

During the operation, 129 offences were detected including a total of 95 drivers who were using a handheld mobile phone, speeding or not wearing a seatbelt whilst travelling at speeds of up to 70mph on Warwickshire’s motorways. These offences and drink and drug driving are prioritised by the police because they have been identified as the biggest dangers whilst driving.

During the operation, 37 drivers using a mobile phone whilst driving were caught by officers observing driver behaviour in all vehicles from the elevated position of the National Highways’ owned HGV supercab.

This includes the driver of this Ford Fiesta, who was seen scrolling through his mobile phone whilst holding it in his right hand on the M42 near Jnc 3a.  (see video clip)

The driver of an Isuzu 4×4 towing a horse trailer on the M40, was also caught on camera using a mobile phone.  (see video clip)

One van driver was also spotted texting on his mobile phone whilst stopped at traffic lights and he continued as the lights changed and he moved off.  However being stationary in traffic such as at traffic lights or in a motorway jam counts as driving, and any hand-held mobile phone use is illegal except in very limited circumstances.

A further 9 drivers, were not in proper control of their vehicle.

44 drivers were caught not wearing a seat belt when as well as being illegal, wearing a seatbelt saves hundreds of lives every year.  It’s also very easy to do.

Other offences caught on camera include the driver of a Volvo 4×4 towing a livestock trailer in lane 3, the outside lane on the M42.  Unfortunately for him, this is prohibited whilst towing.

Police also detected a foreign HGV driver committing two of the ‘fatal 4’ offences – interacting with a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt whilst driving on the M40.

14 drivers were caught speeding during the operation.

Other offences detected include 4 drivers whose vehicles were seized due to no insurance.  Nine drivers were stopped due to vehicle defects or modifications making them unsafe.

Two drivers were seen using the outside lane when it is prohibited to do so and two drivers were detected for the improper use of the hard shoulder.

Three drivers were driving without due care and attention and four drivers had insecure loads on their vehicles and were required to make them safe before continuing their journey.

Operation Tramline is about both enforcement and education to target those drivers who refuse to change their behaviour.  Out of a total of 108 drivers (35 HGV, 27 LGV and 46 car drivers) who were dealt with by officers, 50 Traffic Offence Reports were issued, 4 drivers received a Graduated Fixed Penalty, 1 driver received a Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme notice.  Words of advice were given to drivers on 63 occasions.

Sergeant Scott Good who led the operation said “The number of drivers who think it is ok to use a mobile phone whilst driving, not wear a seatbelt or speed never ceases to amaze me.  These are not ‘good’ drivers as they have chosen to do this when they have a responsibility to keep themselves and others safe on the roads.

“We would recommend that you plan ahead and make your phone calls when you pull into the services or a layby for a break.  Allow plenty of time for your journey so you are not tempted to speed and there’s really no excuse for not wearing a seatbelt.  It’s so easy and quick to do.

“We will continue to conduct regular operations to detect these bad drivers so that we can encourage them to choose to drive legally and safely.“

National Highways Assistant Regional Safety Coordinator Marie Biddulph said:

“We believe that no-one should be harmed while using our roads and our goal, through initiatives such as Operation Tramline, is to make people think about their driving behaviour and to have all road users travelling safely.

“So it is disappointing when we see the number of people still driving inappropriately on our roads. Research shows that you are four times more likely to be in a collision if you use your phone while driving and twice as likely to die in a crash if you don’t wear a seatbelt.

“But, thanks to Operation Tramline and Warwickshire Police, some 100 people have been stopped and have learnt about the risks they posed to themselves and others.”

Speeding is the biggest cause of casualties and people killed or seriously injured, driving under the influence of drink or drugs is second, not wearing a seatbelt is third and fourth is using a mobile phone while driving.

Watch some of the offences on video https://youtu.be/QY54ljPW6bw

Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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